There’s nothing quite like waking up to the smell of a baked breakfast that’s already waiting for you. This Overnight French Toast with Cranberries and Pecans is the perfect combination of holiday elegance and weekday convenience. The custard-soaked bread transforms into a golden, soft-centered bake, studded with tart cranberries and buttery pecans for the ultimate festive flavor.
Whether you’re planning a Christmas morning feast, hosting holiday brunch, or simply want to treat your family to something special without the morning rush, this recipe is a game-changer.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off Morning: Assemble everything the night before, bake the next day.
- Festive Flavor: Tart cranberries + sweet custard + crunchy pecans = perfect balance.
- Crowd-Friendly: Serves 8–10 with zero stress.
- Customizable: Works for holidays, weekends, or even meal prep breakfasts.
- Comfort Meets Elegance: Rustic, cozy, and beautiful on the table.
🥖 Choosing the Best Bread
The bread is the backbone of your casserole. Here’s what works best:
- Challah or Brioche: Buttery, egg-rich, slightly sweet – creates a luxurious texture.
- French Loaf or Baguette: Slightly chewy, balances custard with structure.
- Sourdough: Adds a tangy twist that pairs beautifully with cranberries.
💡 Pro Tip: Use day-old bread. Fresh bread collapses and turns mushy, while slightly stale cubes absorb custard evenly.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 8–10)
For the French Toast:
- 1 loaf challah, brioche, or French bread (about 1 lb / 450 g), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups cranberries (fresh or frozen, not thawed)
- 1 cup pecans, chopped and lightly toasted
- 2 tbsp melted butter (for drizzling)
Optional Streusel Topping (Highly Recommended):
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
- 4 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
The Night Before
- Prep the Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
- Assemble Base: Add cubed bread, scatter cranberries and pecans over the top.
- Make Custard: In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Soak Bread: Pour custard evenly over bread. Press gently so cubes absorb liquid.
- Finish: Drizzle melted butter. Cover and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hrs).
The Next Morning
- Preheat Oven: 350°F (175°C). Remove casserole from fridge 30 minutes before baking.
- Make Streusel (Optional): Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, pecans, and cold butter. Mix until crumbly.
- Top & Bake: Sprinkle streusel over casserole. Bake 45–55 minutes until golden and set in the center.
- Rest & Serve: Cool 10–15 minutes before slicing.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
- Classic: Drizzle with warm maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar.
- Fresh & Fruity: Add orange zest, fresh raspberries, or a spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Creamy: Top with whipped cream, vanilla yogurt, or crème fraîche.
- Brunch Feast: Pair with crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, or a seasonal fruit salad.
💡 Pairing Tip: A spiced chai latte or mimosa makes this casserole brunch-perfect.
🔄 Variations & Substitutions
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free brioche or challah.
- Dairy-Free: Replace milk + cream with almond or oat milk + coconut cream.
- Nut-Free: Skip pecans or replace with pumpkin seeds for crunch.
- Kid-Friendly: Swap cranberries with blueberries or chocolate chips.
- Flavor Twist: Add orange liqueur, a splash of bourbon, or cardamom for depth.
🥗 Nutrition (Per Serving, without streusel – approx.)
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 11 g
- Carbs: 52 g
- Fat: 25 g
- Sugar: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
(Nutrition varies by bread and topping choices.)
💡 Pro Tips for Success
- Toast pecans before adding for richer flavor.
- If bread looks dry in the morning, drizzle ½ cup extra milk before baking.
- Tent with foil if the top browns too fast.
- For a bread pudding-style texture, let it bake slightly longer at a lower temp (325°F).
❓ FAQ
Q: Can I make this without soaking overnight?
Yes – soak at least 2–3 hours, though overnight gives the best custardy texture.
Q: Can I prepare and freeze it?
Yes! Freeze unbaked (up to 2 months) and thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. Or freeze baked portions and reheat at 325°F.
Q: Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes – cook on low for 3–4 hours until custard is set.
Q: How do I make it less sweet?
Reduce sugar in custard by half and skip streusel. Balance with tangy toppings like yogurt.
🌟 Final Thoughts
This Overnight French Toast with Cranberries and Pecans isn’t just a recipe—it’s a holiday tradition waiting to happen. It’s indulgent yet effortless, festive yet flexible. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself making it not just for Christmas, but for any weekend that calls for cozy comfort.
✨ Make it once, and it’ll earn a permanent place in your breakfast rotation.